Be Strong and Courageous

 Take 2 on being Strong (30423)

Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

In the face of difficult life’s problems, it is not easy to be strong. Being strong is made possible when we realize our weakness, and inability to do it on our own. The mere determination of our will only take us so far. Paul writes, “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Joshua was stepping into some big shoes. Moses, the mouthpiece of God, brought the Israelite out of Egypt by putting his trust in the Almighty to deliver. Now Joshua was being asked to take Israelites into the promised land. As we walk with God, He brings things into our lives that appear insurmountable. The stress and expectation of our jobs, the responsibilities of caring for those God has entrusted us with, The mental stress of new challenges, and the many other countless problems we face day to day. It’s ok to confess weakness and realize that we are only human and we need God to be with us and give us the help and strength to be strong when our human strength has been depleted. We all are on a journey following where God leads us. He will not leave or forsake us. He is our stronghold, and in Him we can be strong and courageous.

What Do We Really Need?

 Philip 4:19
But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
What do we really need? Human survival is dependent on food, water, and shelter, the basic needs to stay alive. Going without for any stretch of time will eventually lead to death. Good people who are Christians have died from lack of food and water. Lack of proper shelter from the elements of nature and casualty of war have brought death to many good people who have known God. So, did God not supply their needs during these times? We also know that all things work together for good for us according to His purpose. What do we really need? We need God’s grace, God’s help during hard times, times when all seems to be going wrong. We need His strength, His love and peace. Peace that passes all understanding. We may not receive what we think we need to stay alive on this earth, but our lives are according to the will of God and His purpose. Grace to live, and grace to die. Jesus, He is all that I need.

My Grace is Sufficient

 2 Corinth 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul, the great Apostle of Jesus Christ was given a “thorn in the flesh” that was a constant temptation to question his faith. Satan used it against him to weaken his resolve. It is not clear what this “thorn in the flesh” was, but it was big enough that Paul requested 3 times for it to be removed. Paul surmised that it was put there to keep him humbled and depended on Christ. It reminded him how human he was, and how great God’s grace is to help him in his suffering, and overcome the obstacles that are set before him. When we come to the end of our endurance, realize the weakness of our humanity, His grace is sufficient. Sometimes God has to bring us to that place in our lives when we must trust in the power of Christ to see us through. The mighty arm of the flesh will fail us. Man’s ego, when not submitted to God can cause us to depend on our own strength and abilities, like Nebuchadnezzar, we can be exalted above measure. Paul asked that this thorn be removed, but God’s will was for it to remain. Paul, a man of prayer and faith, did not question God, but accepted God's control and will over his life. Things will come into our lives that will be a “thorn in the flesh”, But Christ, who knows what is best for us, says, “My grace is sufficient, keep trusting Me.”

He is Everything to Me

 Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

In summary, He is everything to me. When my life is shaken with uncertainty, He is the rock that will not move, stand firm on His word. When I am surrounded by the pressures of life, He is my fortress, my protector from the evil one.  When I don’t know where to turn and trouble is all around me, He is my deliverer, recusing me from danger. When I am weak, and don’t know how I will take the next step, He is my strength just when I need it. When the fiery darts of Satan are causing me to doubt God’s love, He is my buckler, my shield of faith to trust Him. When temptation to sin oppresses me, He is the horn of my salvation, giving me victory over sin,  And when the storms of life come, and the flood waters of despair flood my heart, He is my high tower. He is everything to me. In Him, I will put my trust.

Walk in High Places

 Habakkuk 3: 18.19
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation...The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me walk upon mine high places.
Things happen in life that are not always pleasant. Conflict, disagreements, unexpected hardships that cause grief and worry. We deal with inner conflicts that trouble our hearts and minds day in and day out. Where can we find refuge from it all? How do we find peace in the storms of life? How do we overcome difficult times? Paul was persuaded that there was nothing in this world that could keep Him from God’s love. Habakkuk, and God’s people faced hard times, but yet they rejoiced in the Lord. They put their trust in God to give them strength to hold on, and the ability to climb out of any situation that would cause them to fall. The ability to climb out of the valley and walk in high places.

He is Our Refuge- Fear Not

Psalm 46 2,3, 10 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof… Be still, and know that I am God…

How quickly life can change. In a moment of time, catastrophe can happen. Fear grips the heart when the ground begins to shake and the flood waters of sorrow begin to fill our happy place. Being fearless in the face of calamity and the devastation of loss is easier said than done. Our hope is built on knowing that God is our refuge and He is there to take us through. He is our strength and knows what we are going through. We need to stop and take a breath and be still before Him. Acknowledge His power and love for us. He says, “Fear not, I’m with you”. We don’t need to be afraid as long as we stay still and let Him take control of our situation. Yes, fear and sorrow will come, but we know that all things will work together for good to them that love Him and our doing His will. Breath, and let God fill your heart with His love, for His love will cast out fear.

Help During Trouble Times

Psalm 46:10, 1 Be still, and know that I am God… God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The rain falls on the just and unjust. Bad things happening is no respecter of persons. When a plane crashes, when a terrorist bomb explores, or an earthquake destroys cities. People of all color, nationalities and religions are taken from us. Many hold God responsible and become bitter in their heart and refuse to acknowledge Him as a good God. To the believer in Christ, our lives are in God’s hands and He knows the number of our days and those of our loved ones. He is God and He knows what He is doing. He sees the beginning to the end and understands what we are going through. Instead of becoming resentful toward Him, He invites us to call on Him for refuge and strength. During our most trying times, He is our helper in time of trouble. We need to get alone with God and be still before Him. For in Him, we know He does and allows all things for His purpose. 

Helping Hand of God

Nehemiah 6:9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

It is through His grace and strength that we are able to overcome the obstacle and difficulties that we face each day. The world will press us to do things that will take us down the wrong track. We must stay focus on the job that God has given us to do. Whatever that may be if God said it should and can be done, we need to trust Him that He is able to help us see it through. 

In Our Weakness

2 Corinth 12:9 “And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”-

The power of God is able to work in us when we come to the place that we are depended on Him to be our strength. God has given us talents and abilities to accomplish many things, but when we come to the end of our human abilities, God is still there to take it beyond what we are able to do. We must always give our best it whatever we do, but our best is to depend on Him to provide the help we need to go beyond the human. In times of difficulties and hard places when life takes us to a dead end with no where to turn, God’s grace opens a door where there seem to be no door, His grace parts the sea when we don’t see a way out. Sometimes God just has to remove the things we have been leaning on, knock the props from under us, so we can realize that we must have Him to be our helper and strength. In our weakness, God shows us that we can be strong when we put our trust in Him.

Meat of God

John 4:34 “Jesus said unto them, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.”- 

Food, an essential part of maintaining good health and surviving. We daily depend on being able to eat 2 or 3 meals a day, and some snacking in-between. Yet, we often neglect our spiritual well being. We go a day or several days without taking time to eat from the table of God’s word. Our food is to do the will of God, knowing the will of God requires us to spend time in His word and in His presences in prayer. When we begin to feel weak spiritually, it is likely that we have failed to take time to eat. Wanting to eat is a natural instinct of the human body. Our body gives us signals that it needs food. The Holy Spirit is our guide in getting the spiritual food we need. He speaks to us when we start to grow lax concerning the things of God. He warns us when our strength is not what it should be. The battles we fight are not of this world, but are spiritual, we need to be ready to wrestle with the unseen. We need manna from heaven, and water from the fountain of life. He is all we need, but we must neglect the essentials as we endeavor to live for Him.